Rack for merchandising and the like



June 11, 1968 E. .1. OLIVER RACK FOR MERCHANDISING AND THE LIKE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 8 1966 June 11, 1968 E. J. OLIVER 3,387,855

RACK FOR MERCHANDISING AND THE LIKE Filed April 8. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. EARL J. OLIVER TORNEYS United States Patent "ice 3,387,355RACK FOR MERCHANDISING AND THE LIKE Earl J. Oliver, Fremont, Calif. (555W. 135th Ave., San Leandro, Calif. 94577) Filed Apr. 8, 1966, Ser. No.541,304 7 Claims. (Cl. 280-0955) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Amerchandising rack is described which has a plurality of trays removablysecured with a positive locking action in tiered relationship to aframe. The rack comprises a support frame having two vertical postsbetween which are secured the trays in spaced vertical relationship bytray securing means. The tray securing means includes in opposedpositions on each of the posts resilient arms which project transverselyoutward from opposite sides of the posts. Each of the arms includes atits free end inwardly turned reentrant flanges. The ends of each trayhave downwardly turned tab portions adapted to engage within the slotdefined between the reentrant flanges and the arms of each securingmeans. These tabs are spaced in the direction longitudinally of thetrays by a distance which is slightly less than the longitudinaldistance between the flanges of the corresponding pairs of the opposedtray securing means, so that the resilient arms are flexed inwardly whenthe tabs engage said flanges to provide a tight, frictional lock betweenthe trays and the frame.

This invention relates to a rack in which a number of articles may beplaced for purposes of merchandising, storage, and the like, and is moreparticularly directed to such a rack which has a plurality of traysremovably secured in tiered relationship to a frame with a positivelocking action.

It is frequently desirable to arrange a number of articles in a neatmanner for display purposes in merchandising, compactness in storage,etc. To these ends various racks have been provided wherein a number oftrays are mounted in a supporting framework, the trays serving to holdthe articles. However, the trays have generally not been readilyremovable from the frame, or where readily removable, the securancebetween the trays and frame has not been particularly stable with theresult that the trays tend to tip or even become disconnected from theframe. In a rack having the trays mounted in tiered relationship, it isparticularly desirable that the trays be removable so as to increase theversatility of the rack in use. For example, various of the trays may beremoved to increase the space between adjacent trays left in the rack inorder to accommodate relatively tall articles. However, it isundesirable that the removability of the trays be accomplished with asacrifice of stability and sturdiness in the connections cetween thetrays and frame.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rackhaving a plurality of tiered trays removably secured in a support framewith a positive locking action that insures extreme sturdiness andstability of securance.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a rack of the classdescribed wherein the trays are separable from a pair of support postsof the frame having tray securing means at spaced positions therealong,such that the trays may be interchangeably employed with other frameshaving support posts of different lengths and/or different spacingsbetween the tray securing means thereof.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a rack of the classdescribed which is of very simple, yet extremely sturdy and rigidconstruction.

To accomplish the foregoing objects, the rack of the 3,387,355 PatentedJune 11, 1968 invention includes a tray support frame having a pair ofspaced apart support posts between which the trays are to be removablysecured. The means by which each tray is secured to the post includes oneach of the posts a pair of resilient arms which project transverselyoutward from opposite sides of the post. The free end of each of thearms has an inwardly turned reentrant flange adapted to be engaged by acorresponding downwardly turned tab portion on the end of each tray.There is a greater distance longitudinally of the rack between opposedflanges on the posts than there is between the tabs on the trays so thatthe arms are flexed inwardly when the tabs engage the flanges. It hasbeen found that with this construction, a rack having removable trays isprovided which when assembled is extremely sturdy and stable.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of the invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by thesaid drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a rack in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the rack.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary perspective view on an enlarged scale ofcooperating portions of a tray and securing means of the support frameinterengaged to provide a positive locking action.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the tray andsecuring means of FIGURE 3, illustrating the manner in which they areinterengaged.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of the support frame of therack with portions broken away.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURES l and 2 in particular, there willbe seen to be provided a rack 11 which includes a support frame 12having a plurality of trays 13 mounted in tiered relationship thereon.The frame 12 is preferably formed by a pair of upright support posts 14mounted at the opposite ends of a longitudinal base member 16 which inthe present case is provided as a length of angle iron. A rod 17 iscentrally secured transversely to the base of each post to projectlaterally outward from the opposite sides thereof. In order that theframe be wheelable, casters 18 are secured, in a manner subsequentlydescribed, at the opposite ends of the rods .17.

A plurality of tray securing means 19 are secured to each post 14 atvertically spaced positions thereof, with one securing means beingadjacent the base of the post. Each securing means is arranged to engagea cooperating portion of one of the trays 13 to facilitate removablesecurance of the tray with a positive locking action in a manner whichwill soon become evident. More particularly each securing meansbasically comprises an elongated rectangular element 21 secured at itscenter transversely to the outer end surface of the post, and havinginwardly turned reentrant flanges 22 at its opposite ends. The element21 is resilient such that the transverse arm portions thereof onopposite sides of the post may be flexed. The securing means furtherincludes a stop 23 projecting inward from the post at the lower edge ofthe element 21.

Although the element 21 and stop 23 generally outlined above may bevariously provided, an articulate peripherally framed constructionthereof is preferred. In this regard, the element 21 is best formed ofrod to have parallel spaced upper and lower rod portions 24, 26 inwardlyarcuately turned at their opposite ends and interconnected by verticalrod portions 27 extending rightangularly therebetween to define theflanges 22 (see FIG- URE 4). The stop 23 is defined by parallel spacedvertical rod portions 28, 29 secured in right-angular bridging relationto the rod portions 24, 2% on opposite sides of the post and having asemi-circular interconnecting rod portion 31 projecting right-angularlyfrom their lower ends. Such semi-circular portion extends inwardly aboutthe post 14 in spaced relation thereto.

Considering now the trays 13 in greater detail, it will be appreciatedthat they may be of substantially any open topped rectangularconfiguration having a length adapted to fit between the posts 14. Inaddition, each tray is provided with downwardly turned substantiallyrigid tab portions 32 at its opposite ends adapted to be received in theslots 33 defined between the flanges 22 and element 21 and to engage theinternal surfaces of the flanges. Upon urging the tab portionsdownwardly into the slots, the tab portions engage the stops 23. It isparticularly important to note that the longitudinal distance betweenthe tab portions at the opposite ends of a tray is slightly less thanthe longitudinal distance between the flanges 22 of the elements 21 atthe opposite ends of the frame. Consequently, when the tab portions areengaged with the flanges, the oppositely extending arm portions of theelements are flexed inwardly, as best shown in FIG- URE 2. By virtue ofthe resiliency of the flexed arm portions, longitudinally outwardlydirected forces are exerted on the tabs which establish a positivelocking action for stably and sturdily holding the tray in position. Toremove the trays it is only necessary to move same upward to therebywithdraw the tab portions from the slots 33.

Although the trays 13 may be variously provided, it is prefered thatthey be of an articulate rod construction. More particularly, each traypreferably includes a peripheral rod element 34 having parallel spacedlongitudinal side portions 36 respectively terminating at their oppositeends in downwardly turned vertical portions 37, in turn interconnectedby transverse portions 38. The transverse portions 38 are provided withcentral depressions 39 to accommodate the posts 14. In addition aplurality of rods 40 having upwardly turned ends 41 are transverselydisposed in longitudinally spaced relation between the side portions 36with their ends secured thereto. Longitudinal rods 42 are secured to theupwardly turned ends 41 of the rods 40 at a position downwardly spacedfrom side portions 36. The rods 42 terminate short of the verticalportions 37. A central longitudinal rod 43 extends between thedepressions 39 and is secured to the transverse rods 40. The verticalportions 37 and transverse portions 38 of the peripheral rod element 34thus define the downwardly turned tabs 32 at the opposite ends of thetray for engaging the flanges 22.

Considering now in greater detail the mounting of the posts 14 andattachment of the casters 18, it should be noted that the posts 14 arepreferably tubular. Upwardly projecting elongated cylindrical stubs 44are then provided at the opposite ends of base member 16 to coaxiallyreceive the tubular posts in a tight fit, as shown in FIGURE 5. Asubstantially V-shaped support member 46 is secured at its apex to eachpost. The member 46 has depending parallel spaced legs 47 at itsopposite ends which bridge the rod portions 24, 26 of the lowermost traysecuring element 21 and the transverse rod 17 and are secured thereto.Each leg includes parallel spaced rod portions 48, 49 with aright-angularly inwardly projecting semi-circular interconnectingportion 51 therebetween subjacent an end of one of the rods 17. Thesemi-circular portions 51 serve to mount the casters 18. In this regard,each caster has a circular upper face 52 which engages the lower surfaceof one of the portions 51, and a threaded stub 53 projects upwardly fromthe face 52 through the portion 51. A washer 54 is traversed by the stuband engages the upper surface of the portion 51, while a nut 56 isthreaded n the stub tightly against the washer to thereby secure thecaster to the frame.

What is claimed is:

1. A rack comprising a support frame having a pair of spaced apartsupport posts, a plurality of trays adapted to extend between saidposts, and tray securing means carried at spaced positions on each postfor removably securing said trays between said posts at said positions,each of said securing means including resilient arms oppositelytransversely projecting from said post to locations outwardly thereofadjacent the locations for the corners at one end of a corresponding oneof said racks, each of said arms having inwardly turned reentrantflanges at their free ends, downwardly turned extensions at the oppositeends of each of said trays adapted to engage between said flanges andsaid arms of opposed securing means respectively carried by said posts,said extension of each of said trays spaced longitudinally thereof bydistances slightly less than those of said flanges of the opposedsecuring means whereby said resilient arms are flexed when saidextensions engage said flanges to provide a tight frictional fittherebetween.

2. A rack according to claim 1, further defined by said securing meanseach including a stop engaging one of said tabs of one of said trays.

3. A rack comprising a support frame including a pair of spaced-apartsupport posts, tray securing means carried at spaced positions on eachpost, each of said securing means including resilient arms oppositelytransversely projecting from said post with said arms having inwardlyturned reentrant flanges at their ends, and a plurality of trays eachhaving downwardly turned tab portions at their opposite ends engaginginternal surfaces of said flanges of said arms of corresponding pairs ofsaid securing means respectively carried by said posts, said tabs ofsaid trays longitudinally spaced by distances slightly less than thoseof said flanges of said corresponding pairs of said securing meanswhereby said arms are flexed when said tabs engage said flanges toprovide a positive locking action, said securing means each includingparallel spaced upper and lower rod portions centrally transverselysecured to one of said posts and defining said transversely projectingarms, said upper and lower rod portions being respectively inwardlyarcuately turned at their opposite ends and interconnected by verticalrod portions extending right angularly therebetween to define saidflanges.

4. A rack according to claim 3, further defined by parallel spacedsecond vertical rod portions secured in right angular bridging relationto each of said uppper and lower rod portions on opposite transversesides of said post and interconnected by a semi-circular rod portionprojecting right angularly from their lower ends about said post inspaced relation thereto to define a stop.

5. A rack according to claim 3, further defined by each of said trayscomprising a peripheral rod element having parallel spaced longitudinalside portions respectively terminating at their opposite ends indownwardly turned vertical portions interconnected by transverseportions having central depressions, said vertical portions andtransverse portions of said peripheral rod element defining said tabs, aplurality of transverse rods having upwardly turned ends disposed inlongitudinally spaced relation between said longitudinal side portionswith their ends secured thereto, firstand second longitudinal rodssecured to the upwardly turned ends of said transverse rods indownwardly spaced relation to said longitudinal side portions, saidfirst and second longitudinal rods terminating short of said verticalportions of said peripheral rod element, and a third longitudinal rodextending between said depressions and secured to said transverse rods.

6. A rack according to claim 5, further defined by parallel spacedsecond rod portions secured in right angular bridging relation to eachof said upper and lower rod portions on opposite transverse sides ofsaid post and interconnected by a semi-circular rod portion projectingright-angularly from their lower ends about said post in spaced relationthereto, said semi-circular rod portions engaging said transverseportions of said rod elements of said trays.

7 A rack comprising a support frame including a pair of spaced-apartsupport posts, tray securing means carried at vertically spacedpositions on each post, each of said securing means including resilientarms oppositely transversely projecting from said post with said armshaving inwardly turned reentrant flanges at their ends, a plurality oftrays each having downwardly turned tab portions at their opposite endsengaging internal surfaces of said flanges of said arms of correspondingpairs of said securing means respectively carried by said posts, saidtabs of said trays longitudinally spaced by distances slightly less thanthose of said flanges of said corresponding pairs of said securing meanswhereby said arms are flexed when said tabs engage said flanges toprovide a positive locking action, said posts being tubular, alongitudinal base member, upwardly projecting cylindrical stubsprojecting upwardly from the opposite ends of said base member andengaging said tubular posts, a substantially V-shaped support membersecured at its apex to each of said posts, said support member havingparallel spaced legs depending from its opposite ends, a caster securedto each of said legs, each leg of each support member including parallelspaced rod portions secured in bridging relation to the lowermost one ofsaid securing means, each leg including a semi-circular inter-connectingportion projecting right-angulariy from the lower ends of said rodportions thereof, each of said casters having a circular mounting faceengaging the semi-circular portion of one of said legs and a threadedstub projecting from the mounting face through the semi-circularportion, a washer traversed by said stub and engaging said semi-circularportion, and a nut threadably secured to said stub.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,254,770 9/1941 Bitney 211181 X2,533,324 12/1950 Mendle 211-177 2,724,511 11/1955 Morgan 2111812,764,419 9/1956 Enders 280-791 X 2,850,172 9/1958 Bcckner 211181 XFOREIGN PATENTS 963,516 7/ 1964 Great Britain.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Examiner.

